2012 Ford Escape Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 7%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,600miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Ford Escape, 7% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When my heater motor kicks on while I am driving it causes my car to want to stall or die. My car shutters so I must turn off my heat so my far will go as it should. Other times my car has had a hesitation while I am driving. I push the accelerator and it shutters . It has been an issue since I bought it like that. The happy car store glenbrook hyundai in fort wayne indiana sold it to me like this.”
NHTSA complaint #11162388, filed 2018-12, 110,350 miles“So far.. 3 times now, I have been driving and my car has strongly surged forward and stalled! I was almost hit today while trying to put my car in neutral to re-start my car. Once the car was re-started it continued to surge forward quite violently. This is an epic safety hazard and needs to be resolved/addressed asap!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10693207, filed 2015-03, 26,000 miles“On two separate occasions, my 2012 Ford Escape has completely shut off on me while driving at about 40 MPH. I had to coast to the side of the road, one time on a side road and the other on a highway while trying to accelerate, and then turn the car off and back on again. Both times that seemed to correct the problem. This is an extremely dangerous defect that seems to have been reported by many other 2012 Escape owners on forums/blogs.”
NHTSA complaint #11045858, filed 2017-11, 68,000 miles“While driving, everything cut off. I could not accelerate, the power steering turned off, and I had to try and safely pull over. Luckily, each time I was in a position where I could pull over safely. Restarted the vehicle and everything seemed normal. This is extremely scary and unbelievably dangerous!!! Please Ford, do something about this! Have taken it in for service and no code can be found and everything passes the diagnostic tests. What can be done??”
NHTSA complaint #11099946, filed 2018-06, 127,000 miles“Power steering wheel locking, when making turns while driving. Steering wheel locks on and off, to get it to unlock or back to normal handling, I have to immediately pulled over the side of the road in a safely manner, put car on park turn engine off, then restart car and the steering wheel works again. This is a very dangerous issue taking my car to Ford dealer and see hoe they can help me resolve this issue as it seems to be a huge problem with 2008-12 Ford escapes.”
NHTSA complaint #11142952, filed 2018-10, 153,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 10183767Apr 20, 2016Some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen. This may be the result of the ribbon cables not…
- 10057865Sep 1, 2014Ford: after powertrain control module reprogramming, the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on with several diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p06b8, p068a, p2610, if key not left…
- 10056711Aug 26, 2014Ford/lincoln: there is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of abs speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for pcm reprogramming. Model…
- 10056184May 14, 2014Lincoln/ford: in powertrain control module (pcm), that allows anti lock brake system (abs) and output shaft speed sensor (oss) signal faults, a software error has occur and…
- 10054926Mar 5, 2014Ford: throttle body will develop contamination on internal motor contacts resulting in an intermittent electrical connectivity and malfunction indicator lamp (mil) or wrench…
- 10055355Mar 1, 2014Ford: the wrench light will illuminate when 4x4 function is inoperative due to active torque coupling solenoid coil wiring being broke, but a kit is available to service rear…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 27% |
| 2024 | 27 | 36% |
| 2023 | 41 | 41% |
| 2022 | 19 | 8% |
| 2021 | 34 | 10% |
| 2020 | 160 | 10% |
| 2019 | 37 | 6% |
| 2018 | 57 | 3% |
| 2017 | 156 | 6% |
| 2016 | 95 | 8% |
| 2015 | 135 | 12% |
| 2014 | 216 | 10% |
| 2013 | 339 | 12% |
| 2012 | 42 | 7% |
| 2011 | 117 | 9% |
| 2010 | 216 | 10% |
| 2009 | 143 | 8% |
| 2008 | 136 | 7% |
| 2007 | 30 | 12% |
| 2006 | 34 | 7% |
| 2005 | 153 | 11% |
| 2004 | 31 | 6% |
| 2003 | 39 | 7% |
| 2002 | 123 | 12% |
| 2001 | 136 | 14% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Escape
160 complaintsSteering
140 complaintsEngine
73 complaintsVehicle speed control
70 complaintsBody and structure
68 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
66 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsSuspension
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology